A recent progressive idea by the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani to discover, train and nurture at least three million young and determined Nigerians capable of turning the nation into a major exporter of digital stills has cut ice with the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Dr. Aminu Maida who described it as an instant game changer.
Dr. Maida who gave his nod to the initiative while speaking in Lagos at the City Business News Summit recently, disclosing that the brilliant ministerial proposal had already attracted about 1 million applicants, noting that the idea was capable of increasing Nigeria’s pool of technically-skilled persons in the global market thus turning them into potential employers of digital and technical skills in the international market who would eventually engage more Nigerians in the long run.
Speaking on the theme of the summit, ‘Repositioning Nigerian Economy through Telecommunications: 2023 and Beyond’, NCC boss said that, in recognition of the rapid pace of technological advancement disrupting industries across the globe, Nigeria’s vision is inspired by the sharp development which has catalysed ongoing innovation to propel the nation toward sustainable growth, economic diversification, and enhanced living standards for all Nigerians.
Represented by the Commission’s Director of Research and Development, Ismail Adedigba, the NCC’s chief executive officer said, “The vision is thus to accelerate the growth of Nigeria as a global technical talent hub and a net exporter of talent; to deepen and accelerate our position in global research in key technology areas and raise the complexity and dynamics of our economy by significantly increasing the level of digital literacy across Nigeria. In this regard, the Honoruable Minister is looking to create a pipeline of three million technical talents’’.
“This programme, which has commenced already with over 1 million applications by potential trainees, is expected to increase the level of digital and technical skills among Nigerians, especially young and middle-level talents, to 70 per cent by the end of 2027.
“This will position Nigerians to productively contribute to the economy and place us in the top 25 percentile of research globally in the key areas of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), IoT, Robotics, Blockchain, and Additive Manufacturing in keeping with the strategic plan unveiled by the Honourable Minister,” he said.
Dr. Maida further said that the policy direction of the Ministry, which is being driven by five pillars, will deliver on the goals of fostering economic growth and development.
The pillars, according to him, were policy; infrastructure; innovation, entrepreneurship and capital; trade and knowledge, stressing that they were the bedrock of the Strategic Vision Plan (2023 – 2025) which forms the guide to channel ongoing efforts at harnessing the potential of the telecommunications sector and drive positive change in Nigeria.
He said the commission remained committed to providing an enabling environment for the building of the critical infrastructure required to power a strong digital economy, guarantee improved access to quality broadband connectivity, and the efficient management of the nation’s spectrum resources.
“As we work with our supervising Ministry – Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy – to take these steps to provide the enabling environment for repositioning the Nigerian Economy through telecommunications in 2023 and beyond, we call on Nigerians—and especially our compatriots in the media—to tap into the aspects of these interventions that are relevant to them.
“The ambitious plans we have set out may seem lofty and even incredible, but through strategic partnerships and collaborations with all stakeholders, we believe that they are achievable,” the EVC said.
